Stony Plain is ready for its once-in-a-generation musical celebration.

The 2019 RCMP Musical Ride will be making its first appearance in the community Sunday. Organizers from the Stony Plain Kinsmen Club and representatives from the Legion, RCMP Veterans Association and the Parkland County RCMP detachment spent a year planning the show. Rides only occur in two provinces each year and it was last in the Tri-Region for a stop over in Spruce Grove more than 20 years ago.

Kinsmen Club member Ed Berney says they did not know about this at first and aggressively sought a bid when they found out.

“I saw it when I was very young and it was incredible,” he said. “It has lasted with me for 50 years and I wanted it here again.”

The event features more than a 32-rider strong cavalry team made up of regular officers. Equipment will be on display at the Heritage Park Pavilion grounds and the dog team, helicopters, tactical command and pipe and drum musicians will be making appearances as well. Berney previously told the Stony Plain Town Council in March he was very impressed at the willingness of the RCMP to accommodate any ideas.

“At this point every request has been met with an if it is not in place, they will do all they can to bring it,” he said at the time.

A contract had to be signed with the RCMP to guarantee certain things before the event could be awarded to the area. They had to ensure proper stable space for horses and a venue of appropriate size for the ride. The pavilion grounds fit these requirements and, on the day of the event, the interior of the building will be transformed into a stable big enough for the public to visit and check out horses and riders.

“This a true community event,” Berney said. “The majority of the time they can be in there talking to riders and looking at horses.”

The show is slated to have one ride at 2 p.m. and another at 6 p.m. Berney added it is a great event for the community and something no one should miss because it presents in a way that is interesting, friendly and accessible to all ages and demographic groups.

“There are not many things everyone can enjoy,” he said. “We are so fortunate to have this in the Tri-Region.”

More information on the event can be found on the website of the Stony Plain Kinsmen Club.